Google is scheduled to post quarterly results after the bell, and its stock was up 3 percent at $391.03. Hewlett-Packard , up nearly 5 percent, was the Dow's second top boost, behind IBM , up 1.7 percent to $100.49.

Also boosting sentiment were stronger-than-expected quarterly results from Harley-Davidson Inc that pointed to some stabilization in consumer spending. The motorcycle maker's shares rose 8 percent to $18.51.